Chapter 18 

Sonny and Hannah spend a weekend at the place they visited when Baby attempted suicide. As usual, Sonny lies to both his family and his comrades about where he needs to be that weekend. On the drive, he tells Hannah a story about him and his children being denied access to a train because of their race. Hannah comments that such a thing would no longer happen—segregation has ended in some parts of South Africa. Even though interracial relationships are no longer illegal, they feel judged by the hotel receptionist. 

As they walk together, Sonny thinks about how Hannah kept the news of the United Nations position from him, a lie by omission. He also knows he cannot leave his family, nor would Hannah want him to, so they will inevitably separate. Sonny attempts to make love to her in a way that will persuade her to stay and make her need him as much as he needs her.

Chapter 19  

Will and Sonny visit the lawyer to try to learn of Aila’s whereabouts and discover that investigators had found explosive devices in the garage of their house. Sonny feels guilty for not having been at the house. Will reflects that his father is brave under the circumstances and that they both believe Aila, like Will, is “a ‘clean’ member of the family.” 

Sonny tries to think of ways to save Aila, even considering taking the fall for the hidden weapons. Despite Will’s belief that Sonny’s sacrifice would prove his love for Aila, he knows his father still visits Hannah. Before Sonny can fall on the sword for his wife, he and Will are shown a statement in which Aila swore that she allowed revolutionaries to use the storeroom to hide their weapons. Again, Will assumes she is simply covering to protect her family rather than admitting the truth. Nonetheless, Will considers what his mother may know and may have done, seeing her actions as proof that she is finally “free” of Sonny. 

Hannah finds Aila and helps pass notes between her and the family. In the messages, Aila instructs the men to simply wait and not get in touch with Baby. Sonny continues to immerse himself in his relationship with Hannah but realizes he will soon lose both his wife and his lover. 

Sonny and Will go to court in hopes of seeing Aila when she hears her formal charges. They think of Aila as separate from the other prisoners, feeling that she never should have been “in contact with any of this.” When Aila is finally permitted to greet her family, she is both familiar and “strange” to them. They embrace her warmly, but to themselves, both father and son wonder who the real Aila is. 

Chapter 20  

Will does not know how to speak to his mother anymore, and Sonny feels sympathetic for his son’s plight. Both father and son recognize now that Aila is “not innocent,” an understanding she and her lawyer also share. Aila touches Sonny’s hand and claims it is her “turn” to be imprisoned for political activity. 

Aila faces four charges, including terrorism. She apparently worked as a courier for the movement and attended meetings that discussed the use of the weapons hidden on her property. Despite the severity of the charges, Aila is permitted to return home with Will and Sonny.

Sonny and Hannah discuss the outlook for Aila’s trial, noting that the high bail suggests the “charges would be upheld.” Sonny is shocked to see Hannah shed tears for Aila. Sometime after this, Hannah leaves to take the job...